With the ​Cape Cod Parent Resource Fair rapidly approaching we will be sharing blog posts on our participating sponsors, vendors and nonprofits.  You will find out more about these amazing businesses and what they offer to our community. They will be sharing their services, advice, what challenges face our community as well as upcoming events they will be having.  Make sure to check out our virtual program and resource guide ahead of the event so you can plan for what you want to see including our famous speaker panels. If you preregister for the speakers you will earn extra raffle tickets. You also earn them by attending any of our entertainment sessions! Just email us and you will receive tickets at the door! We hope to see you at the Resource Fair!

​1.     Tell us about your business/non profit and how it benefits local families? 
Silent Spring Institute is a mission-driven scientific research organization dedicated to uncovering the environmental causes of breast cancer.  Our independent research is empowering a revolution in environmental health to prevent cancers by reducing people’s exposure to harmful chemicals where they live, work and play.  We believe everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, and safer products and that no one should get sick from toxic chemicals.  We are creating new knowledge about cancer-causing chemicals—how we are exposed and how they affect our health.  Our work is strengthening policies to protect consumers from toxics while making prevention a national research priority. Together with our sister organization Massachusetts Breast Cancer Coalition, we work to update Cape Cod residents on our water quality and public health research findings.
 
2.     Where is it located?
Silent Spring Institute’s main office is located in Newton, MA, but our Cape Coordinator is based in Barnstable, and members of our research team are often on the Cape for field sampling and to attend community events.
 
3.     What is your favorite thing about our community?
We are so inspired by the dedication of Cape residents to protecting water quality and preserving the beautiful natural resources that make Cape Cod so special.
 
4.     How else do you get involved with the community?
We are a resource for all Cape residents and often give presentations to community organizations and attend community events to share our research findings about water quality and ways of reducing your exposure to toxic chemicals.
 
5.     What do you think are the biggest challenges facing parents in our community?
We have heard from families and family support providers that housing costs and availability are a great challenge facing parents in our community.
 
6.     What is your favorite memory or story over the years involving you and your business?
We’re grateful to all the Cape residents who have taken part in our research studies over the years by sharing information about their health and welcoming our research team into their homes to collect samples of house dust, drinking water, and even their septic systems. Our research wouldn’t be possible without the support of so many people here on Cape Cod.
 
7.     What advice would you give parents and caregivers in our community?
Get educated! Consumer products that we use every day can contain toxic chemicals, such as BPA (and other bisphenols) in can liners and plastic bottles, parabens and harmful fragrance chemicals in cosmetics and personal care products, and PFAS chemicals in food packaging materials, Teflon pans, and stain-resistant and waterproof clothing. Our free mobile app, Detox Me, provides practical tips for how to keep you and your family safe from harmful chemicals in everyday consumer products. Download our app on the Apple app store or Google Play for free to learn more!
 
8.     Do you have any specials, events, or anything else taking place this upcoming year that our parents should know about?
We host an annual community event every fall to share updates about Silent Spring Institute’s research at the Barnstable Town Hall with Cape residents. And stay tuned for other updates about STEEP, PFAS-REACH, and our other water and health research on Cape Cod.

By: Elizabeth D

Did you know your smoke detector has a shelf life of 8-10 yrs? I did not and learned my lesson.

The stove burner was accidentally left on with food in the pan around 7 pm. Around 3 am I woke up coughing. My husband and toddler were sound asleep. The dogs weren't barking. But I could smell smoke. My husband opened our bedroom door and there was a wall of thick smoke. We had to wet face cloths just to breathe so we could open all the windows and doors.

With both of us working in the insurance industry, my husband and I are diligent to replace the batteries in our smoke and CO detectors and to push the test buttons regularly. What I didn't know is that the sensors get desensitized over time. We do use our fireplace in the winter. And sometimes our dinner ends up a little crispy. But looking back, the alarm hasn't gone off in a while. It was 7 years old, just shy of the average life span.

Smoke detectors are now made with "born on dates". If yours doesn't have one, write on the inside cover the date you install it. Another scary thought - while they are required to be installed, do you know how old the smoke detector was before the person rented or sold your place to you? Was it one from their house/ another unit just to satisfy a requirement?

Please REPLACE your smoke detectors if they are old or if you don't know how old it is. While I am grateful everyone is OK, who needs this kind of hassle/ excitement when it's summer on Cape Cod?

Elizabeth grew up on the Cape and moved back after college. She is a mom to her 2 yr old son and 16 yr old step-daughter. She stumbled into an insurance career out of college and currently works at Almeida & Carlson.

Halloween Health & Safety Tips
By Heather Grocott

Autumn holidays like Halloween are fun times for children of all ages, who can dress up in costumes, enjoy parties, enjoy fall fruits and vegetables, and eat yummy treats. These celebrations also provide a chance to give out healthy snacks, engage in physical activity and focus on safety.

Check out these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for trick-or-treaters and your party guests:

·         Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

·         Avoid trick-or-treating alone with your child. Walk in groups with friends.

·         Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you and your child.

·         Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating

·         Encourage your children to always WALK during trick or treating

·         Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent possible skin and eye irritation.

·         Dress your children in well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

·         Do not allow your child to enter homes

·         Carry a cell phone with you

Treat safety tips:

·         Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before your child eats them. Limit the amount of treats your child eats.

·         Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats made by strangers.

·         A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.

·         Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.

·         Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.

Expecting trick-or-treaters or party guests?  Follow these tips to help make the festivities fun and safe for everyone:

·         Provide healthier treats for trick-or-treaters such as low-calorie treats and drinks. For party guests, offer a variety of fruits, vegetables, and cheeses.

·         Use party games and trick-or-treat time as an opportunity for kids to get their daily dose of 60 minutes of physical activity.

·         Be sure walking areas and stairs are well-lit and free of obstacles that could result in falls.

·         Keep candle-lit jack o'lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended.

·         Remind drivers to watch out for trick-or-treaters and to drive safely.

By Tracy Martin-Turgeon
 When the warm weather starts to roll in to summer, chances are you will go swimming at the beach, a community center or a backyard pool.  Basic safety tips are essential to ensure safe swimming.   Some tips to help make your summer enjoyable.

 Actively Supervise.

• There is no substitution for supervision.  You need to be actively supervising all children around bodies of water.  Infants and toddlers should be within your reach.
• Educate your children around water and swimming. 
• Teach them to tread water.
• Different bodies of water react different.  Such as a lake, a pool, or ocean all will be different in the water and your children should know the difference.
• Do not rely on swimming aids to baby sit your child in bodies of water. These are to help them to learn how to swim. 
• CPR saves millions of lives; if you do not know CPR techniques you can inquire at the Red Cross, hospitals, and local fire departments offer CPR trainings. The Children’s Workshop can help you learn CPR also.

Stay safe in your back yard in swimming pools.

·         Teach your children basic swimming tips in your pool.

·         Making children aware of pool drains, pipes, ladders that may cause them to become stuck or pulled under water.

·         Always have a portable phone close by incase you need to call 911.

·         If a child is missing, check the pool first.

·         Make sure your pool has a lock and gate when not in use.

·         Install pool alarms this could possible save a life.

·         Maintain your pool so it is operating properly.

·         If possible, enroll your child/children in swimming classes.

Enjoy your summer, use safety tips and caution at all times.  Drowning statistics have grown over the years.  Make this your top priority as a parent to ensure your child is safe at all times near water.   Make sure you have a first aid kit handy, a pair of scissors to cut hair or clothing if they get stuck or entrapped, a portable phone, and a flotation device and you will be on your way to an enjoyable summer.

By Kelli DiDomenico

Halloween is a spooky holiday that many children look forward to every October.  It starts with the thrills of visiting your local haunted houses, carving silly jack-o-lanterns with your family and friends, trick or treating for yummy candy and of course creating your very own crazy, silly and creative costumes that don’t break the bank.

It’s important, however, to balance fun along with safety, when we think about celebrating Halloween.  Everyone certainly wants to have a safe, fun, inexpensive and great Halloween night that the entire family can enjoy.  All it takes to accomplish these goals is some easy safety tips as a guideline and some creative, homemade costume designs that can fit everyone’s budget.  Halloween season is a great opportunity to bring families together to engage in some family-friendly activities for little or no cost.  All it really takes is some elbow grease, teamwork and a lot of creativity.

First things first – all parents need to know how to make Halloween as safe as possible for you and your child, before you can think about creating that fabulous, one of a kind costume for trick or treating.

·         Supervision - Children under the age of 12 should be with an adult at all times. Never let your children too far ahead of you.  The rule of thumb is that they should always be in your line of vision.  It’s very important to educate your children to never go into a stranger's house. No matter how nice they seem, it is important to stay on the doorstep and leave promptly after you have received your treat.

·         Precautions - Don’t forget to decorate trick or treat bags, costumes and all outer wear with reflective tape or stickers and choose light colored costumes to improve visibility. Your children will be out later when it is darker and it is important to be able to see them at all times. Choose face paint and make-up instead of masks, which can obstruct a child's vision. Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights in order to see better, as well as to be seen by drivers.

·         Check All Candy – Always remember to inspect all treats for signs of tampering before children are allowed to eat them. Candy should be thrown away if the wrapper is faded, torn, or if the candy is unwrapped.

·         Obey Traffic Laws –Safety comes first…always use sidewalks and traffic signals when walking around your neighborhood. Cross at corners, make sure to follow the traffic signals and if there are no sidewalks, make sure to walk with the traffic.

Dressing up in costumes are certainly a fun Halloween tradition, but purchasing costumes can become very expensive for families, especially in these difficult economic times. There are a number of inexpensive ways and things you can do to create a unique, amusing and silly costume for your child and have fun while you are doing it! Encourage your child to first explore clothing and other accessories that you may have at home that can be used for a costume. Then you can spend a small amount of money on special accessories for them to create that one of a kind outfit.  Here are some great ideas…

·         All Black clothing = black cat or a bat

·         All Red clothing = devil, red M&M or skittle (use a little tape for the M on the shirt!)

·         All white clothing = angel

·         Pajamas = a baby

·         Jeans and a flannel shirt = A cowboy

·         Branches, brown paper bags, string, glue – scary Halloween Tree

·         Sports uniforms and equipment – basketball, hockey, soccer, golf, soft ball or baseball player…

It's also very easy for your older child to dress like his or her favorite television or book character by using things from home. You can use recycled materials to create many unique costumes as well. Put some holes in a cardboard box for a child's head and arms. Your child can be a TV, a Rubik's cube, a dice. Let them use their imaginations to create whatever they think will be a hit in their neighborhood.

Other low-cost ideas…

·         Take a trip to visit your local Salvation Army, thrift store or Savers or any local resale shop that may sell gently used costumes and accessories that can be an affordable option for many families.  You may be surprised at what a great selection they have for costumes and accessories.

·         Start a Costume Swap with your family, friends and neighbors.  It’s simple – just have everyone bring their old costumes to your swap and exchange away.  Remember to set the ground rules beforehand.  You may also want to invite your child’s childcare or school to get involved in a costume swap event.  It’s a great activity for their PTO’s or Parent Committees to get involved with during this season.  The opportunities and ideas can be endless and lots of fun for all ages!

Halloween is a great, family-friendly tradition that allows us the opportunity to spend this holiday with each other.  So take advantage of the season and spend quality time with the people you love, make some life long memories in the process and stick to your budget.  Happy Trick or Treating!

Kelli DiDomenico brings over 20 years of experience to her role at The Children's Workshop as Director of Parent and Community Relations.  Kelli earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Rhode Island College.  She was the Director and Owner of her own School Age Program and a Program Manager for Therapeutic child care before rejoining the TCW team in 2010.  She is also a very active member of the communities we serve. The Children’s Workshop is located in South Dennis and Bourne and provides learning programs and quality care for ages six weeks through twelve years. Visit www.ChildrensWorkshop.com for more information.

Family Dynamics
Summer Safety Tips, Part 3

by Tracy Lamperti, LMHC, BCETS

It may seem strange to find the topic of “family dynamics” under Summer Safety Tips, but stay with me on this one.
 
Holidays are surely a time of stress for many due to increased expectations to spend time with family.  Summer, though, in my personal and professional experience is equally stressful, if not more so.  The Thanksgiving/Christmas period, at most, usually lasts about 4-6 weeks.  Summer, on the other hand, is about 8-12 weeks of expectations of cookouts, Fourth of July parties, beach parties, bonfires, birthdays….and the expectation tends to be, “since it is summer, of course you can come!”
 
It is my wish that you could enjoy every minute of summer fun, but let me call your attention to “Why Summer Can Be Bad For Kids.”  ….not to be a killjoy….

Stress
– When parents are stressed, children are stressed.  Some children act out (behavioral issues) and some children act in (emotional issues) when their adults are stressed.  Talk about plans ahead of time.  Your husband might not want to go to your mother’s house for the 3rd week in a row for a cookout. You might want to stay at your mother-in-law’s cookout for 2 hours, not 6.

 Negative Influences
– If cousin Sally typically has too much to drink and starts wobbling around the guests, better to talk with your husband ahead of time to decide if and how to handle this around your children if it should occur.  
 
Older Youth
– If you are so fortunate as to have mature older cousins as role models for your children that is awesome! 
Sadly, all too often, it is an older cousin to leads a younger child astray with negative behavior lessons. 
Statistics are becoming overwhelmingly alarming that the numbers of older cousins/youth relatives are luring younger children into both, negative behavior and sexual situations.  It is too common that the older cousin relationship is by default a trusted situation; they are family and you are on the property (often they are congregating apart from the adults).  However, in this situation, the older youth often knows HOW LIKELY it is that an adult will enter their space.  Adults, since they are blindly trusting family, don’t tend to check on the kids. Many of us have very lovely and loving children who would never be that “dangerous cousin,” but don’t take unnecessary chances.  It was once a “trusted cousin” who lit the woods on fire and sent the younger children running back for a bucket of water.
 
Staying Too Long
– Know your child. Know your husband. Know yourself.  It’s better to leave wishing it could have stayed longer and longing for the next get-together, than to stay too long.  What could be worse than having had a
good time with family and a big fight on the way home because the little ones are melting down.
 
Unfinished Business
– Many adults have “issues” with a parent or sibling.  For the sake of “family” and “fun” many people set these “issues” to the side.  Be aware of buttons that could be pushed and how you plan to handle this.  The event could be “uneventful”, i.e. no major blowouts, however you leave feeling terrible.
 
Supervision
– When there is lots of family around, it is easier to assume that someone is watching the children at any given time.  Not necessarily.  Keep an eye on your little ones.
 
Commotion
– When there is a lot of commotion, there are likely to be dangers that no one is thinking of; hot grills, knives, open doors or gates, pets, alcoholic beverages….Stay on your toes.

By Nicole Chiello

Swimming is an activity that is loved by children of all ages. As summer approaches, it’s important to think about being safe in the water and at the beach. If you are a parent or guardian, being at the water with your children can be a fun, but stressful time. There are definitely some things you need to think about before you venture to the pool (or beach!)

What are some general things I should remember when I am at the water with my children?


 ·        Please remember that are large misconceptions when it comes to drowning. It can happen in an instant, and people who are drowning can’t call for help in most cases, as they are trying to breathe. Not all people who are drowning will yell, or wave their hands, or bob up and down in the water. 

·        Supervision is the #1 priority when water is involved! Children need to be supervised at all  times when they are around water of any kind. A good rule of thumb is to remember that children under 5 should be only an arm’s length away from an adult.  If you need to leave for whatever reason, make sure your child is with
you – do not leave them even for a minute – because less then a minute is all it takes for a dangerous situation to occur. 
 
·        Set rules from the start – and stick to them! If you are at the beach, and you tell them not to go past their knees, have a consequence ready when they do. They are going to test you and if you cave, they are going to continue to test! Set the rules from the get go, and talk about them before you even get there. 
 
·        The American Red Cross advocates for the buddy system – even if you are supervising your children, make sure they are always with someone else in the water. 
 
·        A flotation device does not replace proper supervision. Just because your child has a life vest on, or tube, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have to supervise them. Nothing replaces the proper supervision of an adult. 

·        If you own a pool, please abide by all rules and laws about owning one, including fencing, securing, and covering.  Please make sure the cover is secure whenever it is not in use. Also, make sure toys are not floating in the pool when there is no one around – colorful toys are often hard to resist for small children and they might unknowingly try to grab them and fall.

How can I educate myself on proper beach and water safety? 
 
- All caregivers and families should take a basic CPR class so they will be prepared in an emergency situation.  This is a very simple way for all caregivers to protect their families and know what to do when an emergency situation arises. 

- Enroll  yourself and your child in a swim class.  Classes are great because a child is there, learning how to swim and getting excited about the water – and at the same time, you and your child are learning about water safety and about how to be safe at all times. It’s a great tool to teach your kids about water safety without them even knowing it. :)
 
What do I do in an emergency situation? 
- Check the water first if you own a pool. If you notice your child is missing, check there quickly first, as time is precious if something has happened to your child in the water.
- Call 911. Always have a phone handy when you are near the water. 
- If you own a pool, make sure you have all of the emergency equipment on hand and ready. You shouldn’t have to look, or go far, for anything you might need quickly.

For and Against The Stranger
Summer Safety Tips, Part 2

by Tracy Lamperti, LMHC, BCETS

What to do if a stranger approaches you. 
While it is ok for a child to approach a stranger for help (see below), it is not ok for an adult to approach a child for help. 
 

A child should be taught; 
 
1. They should stay farther away from a stranger than the stranger’s reach, 
2. It is ok to back away from a stranger and it is ok to say “NO” to a stranger, 
3. Never go to a person that they don’t know who is calling them over. A stranger with wrong intentions may ask a child if they want to see the puppy in their car, or some candy, or “I know your dad, can you give him
something for me.”
4. Never to give out information about themselves to someone they don’t know, such as, “What is your name?” “Do you live in this town?” “Isn’t your mom’s name …..?” People with wrong intentions are testing
 all the time. 

They know they can’t get what they want from some, but not all children, so they have to do a lot of testing in ways that seem like “normal” interactions to find the one that will take the bait. 
 
They might try the same question with 20 children before they get the one who will come over to see the puppy. Then they try a level two test. 
 
Experts conducted tests using a “lost puppy” technique to lure Small children who have been taught to never go with a stranger. To the amazement of the parents (who were looking on and knew their child was part of a
test), the technique was very successful.  Once they throw the bait, they hook the child and then set the hook.  They lure the child farther away with each strategy.

What to do if you get lost.
Almost every adult has a story about getting lost as a child, either themselves or someone they know, whether it was a crowded area, an area with racks higher than themselves, or somewhere else. 
 
When children have been given instructions and a chance to practice, if this unfortunate event happens they will be less afraid and better able to take the best next step. 
 
Step 1 - The first thing a child should do when they realize that the adult they are with is not in sight, is to take a few breaths while they calmly  scan as far as they can see in all directions while standing in one spot. 
 
Step 2 - Children should be taught to know what to look for in a helping person. The safest people to ask for help from are; (1) someone behind a desk or using a cash register; (2) someone wearing a uniform or name tag; (3) an adult with children; (4) a person who looks “old” in a child’s opinion. Finding a helping person should be done from the spot where you are. Children should not go wandering looking for their parent or a helping person. 
 
 Step 3 – Children should say, “My mom (or whoever they were with) is lost, will you please find her for me.” Or, “I need help finding my mom.” Children should be taught NOT to leave the area with anyone. The parent will retrace their steps looking for the child, and the child cannot be sure the helping person is safe. 
 
Step 4 – Children should be able to recite their parent’s phone number and address as well as their parent’s first and last name.

by Tracy Lamperti, LMHC, BCETS

It is absolutely true; I lost my child once!  We were at Windmill Weekend.  It was a big anniversary year and busier than I have ever seen it!  After the parade, on the Windmill Green, it was gridlock. There was no moving unless the crowd moved.  The crowd finally moved. My newborn was in her Baby Jogger and I did not have my 5 ½ year old by the hand.  I moved and my son did not.  Within seconds, we were like countries apart, even though we were surely not more than 50 yards apart and may have only been 5 tall people apart.   But he was gone and it was so noisy that even putting out a call over the loud speaker wasn’t heard by many.  Yes, after about 10
harrowing minutes, we were finally reunited.
 
Every parent knows that accidents happen, even to “good” parents.  Whistles are fun and we can empower our children with whistles in two ways.
 
1.     Give your child a whistle that they can role play with.  Here are the rules: they tell you (or ask you) that they would like to use the whistle to be referee at the backyard ballgame or backyard traffic cop scene; if the timing is right (neighbors would probably appreciate that you not release the whistle to your child at 5 AM) you give them the whistle and let them play.  Explain that they will not be blowing the whistle as loud as they can (as it just isn’t fair to neighbors or friends at the park) but they can use the whistle for the stated purpose of play.  They get practice using the whistle for a purpose.

2.     Give your child a whistle to wear, at the beach, at a local busy event (like Windmill Weekend, the beach or at Disney World) and tell them that the whistle is their emergency tool in the event that you get separated. 
Explain that getting separated is a serious matter and the whistle can be used for serious matters like getting separated.  The international distress signal is 3 brief blasts.  Explain this to your child and have them practice at home.  It is ok to make these blasts as loud as they can and it is good to have them hold their ears while they blow.  Explain that if someone asks why they are blowing the whistle, that they say, I am separated from my mom (or grandma….) and I am supposed to stay right here so my mom can follow the whistle sounds.  In all likelihood, you are very close and can come very quickly. You will be the mom running toward the whistle :) !  You can explain to your child that if something happens, for example, at the park, that makes them feel uncomfortable, and they can’t get your attention easily, they can blow the whistle. Reinforce that at these times that they have been given the whistle, it is a tool and not a toy.  Mark my word, a potential predator is not going to mess with a child with a whistle. Especially a child who blows the whistle when they look up and don’t see their mom.